MNP, 3G and mobile operators

I have been watching the current happenings in the Indian mobile market and have made some interesting observations.

Idea Cellular has launched a big campaign about Mobile Number Potability. I blogged about my view on MNP here. Interestingly, MNP can not work without collaboration and n/w-s/w readiness from all the mobile operators in a circle. And even then only one of the operators is investing so much money in the advertisement and others are completely ignoring it.

Similarly only Airtel seems to be behind projecting 3G as their USP. While this is a true that almost all the players have the 3G Bandwidth available and would be launching it more or less this quarter (Vodafone and Airtel are definitely launching it this quarter, no clue about Idea 3G yet)

Vodafone is just continuing with it's sluggish advertisements of "happy to help" and "wherever you go". No signs of MNP and 3G being advertised. [Interesting Update: While searching for Airtel website, Google threw an Ad of Vodafone talking about MNP :)]

Docomo has already launched the 3G few weeks back and the tariffs were pretty competitive and not very high as they were expected to be. This surely is expected to put price pressure on other operators and probably that is why everyone is waiting to see how the 3G prices are received by the consumers and how it affects P&L of Docomo.

I was looking at these various operators' websites and was surprised to see that all these three operators have already made MNP available but it was without a bang I would say. Even Idea campaign didn't highlight it as "launched". I always remember the ad as "MNP coming soon". I am yet to check on other players like Aircel and Uninor.

All this makes me wonder about few things:
  1. Why does Idea feel that only they will benefit from launching MNP? Or does the other players fear that they would actually be loosing the customers and hence underplaying the MNP?
  2. If 3G spectrum is already available with the carriers and so the infrastructure, what is it that is keeping operators like Idea and Vodafone underplay this launch?
  3. Did BSNL get any first mover advantage for having 3G launched much earlier?
  4. Don't the comparatively smaller players like Aircel and Uninor feel that they have better chances of increasing the consumer base through MNP, sheer because they are sort of "unknown Gods" to most of the customers?
It would be interesting to observe the changes in the market share of these operators a few months down the line, to check if MNP has helped them or not and also how 3G gets accepted in the Indian market.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Subscription Services

Image
As the internet penetration increased over the last 2 decades, it also gave rise to digital subscriptions. The internet users slowly started developing trust in internet-based payments and that too on recurring payments. It probably started with the tech community using the recurring payment systems and slowly spreading that faith to non-tech-savvy users. There was also a phase when I started using the credit card for online transactions but wasn't comfortable storing the card details with the merchant. I used to enter the details every single time. (That is how I still remember the CC number that was in use at that time) In the late 2000's I was introduced to Ecom website development and since then it has been part of my professional as well as personal life. Over the years, I learned about the  PCI-DSS standard , and the extent to which the Ecom companies make an effort to protect consumer data. There have been instances of a data breach across the globe, but alon...
Read more

Movie Review: Chhota Bheem and The Throne of Bali

Image
Set in the beautiful islands of Bali, this movie is meant to entertain the kids. But unfortunately adults may not find it that interesting.  As usual, when Bheem along with his gang and King of Dholakpur reaches Bali, they find that Bali is in danger. Apparently, Bali's Queen is King of Dholakpur's sister and were invited for crowning ceremony of the prince Arjun. Upon arrival, Bheem and the team found that everything is devastated in Bali and there's no trace of Royal family including Arjun. After much of a search, Bheem finds the Rajguru (Royal Priest) who had helped the prince escape the wrath of the invader - Rangda.  The story line is pretty much predictable and there are no surprises till the end. Bheem needs to be the ONLY savior and it turns out to be that way. (This actually is a problem for children mentality, but I'll save the thoughts for some other time.) Overall animation is similar to the serial and there didn't seem to be any attempt...
Read more

Telemarketing

Last week Mobile rings .... Me: Hello --: Hello, this is XXX calling from XXX bank. Sir, you hold XXX bank credit card, right? Me: Yes. --: Sir, XXX bank is offerring you a ready cash of Rs.4,65,000/- Me: Actually this amount is too small for me. --: How much amount you are looking for, Sir? Me: Something like 4 crores.... --: (silence) --: 4 Crores ???? --: Is any bank offering you that much amount? Me: No! --: Then? Me: If you can offer me 4 lakhs just like that some other bank will give me 4 crores as well :) --: Ok Sir. (disconnect) :) Today Mobile rings ... Me: Hello --: Hello, this is XXX calling from XXX bank. Sir, you hold XXX bank credit card, right? Me: Yes. --: Sir, XXX bank is offerring you a ready cash of Rs.4,65,000/- Me: Last week only I told you folks that this is very small amount. I am looking for amount like 4 Crores... --: ccccrore ?????? (hung up) Nice entertainment right?
Read more